Case Studies: College Success

1. First create a short skit related to your topic [each group has a different topic].
2. Next, discuss your interpretations and impressions of this topic.
3. Then design a study or series of studies to assess the validity of the following about college success. Use the scientific method and statistical thinking in your design and discuss what is easy and hard about testing the related assertions.
4. Finally, prepare to present your skit and summarize your discussions for the rest of the class.
   
   The following college etiquette points are adapted by Dr. Sarah from
   http://www.ehow.com/how_2067800_behave-college-class-discussion.html
   www.mcb.arizona.edu/undergraduates/CollegeEtiquette.pdf
   http://www.blinn.edu/natscience/phillips/test-tips.htm
   http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/234etiquette.html
   http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2005/10/06/opinion/13344.shtml
   http://www.ppslc.com/college_success.php
   
   

   Attend Class

   "A" students miss on the average one-half of one class per semester. "C" students miss on the average 4.5 classes per semester. (Implication: "C" students lost an average of 3-5 points for each class missed, not to mention the material covered in class!). Since college graduates earn an average of at least $700,000 more than high school grads over a lifetime of employment, that translates to about $1000 for every day spent in class.

   45 Hour Work Week

   Consider College as a Job! I had a buddy who got up every day at 8am and went to library to study, when it was class time he went to class and then back to the library until 4:46 sharp. At that point he put up his books and was on his own time. He was involved in every intramural sport, went to most every party, and got a 4.0 at Texas A&M. His secret is that he considered school a job and he worked at it 8-5.

   Sit in the Front Middle

   Seating arrangement is important. Studies have shown that the students sitting in the front middle part of the class do better than those who sit toward the back of the class or off to one side.

   Marijuana Use

   Studies have found that college students who used marijuana regularly had impaired skills related to attention, memory, and learning 24 hours after they had last used the drug.

   Work Together

   Studies have shown that people who study together get better grades. You will probably find yourself more motivated if you know someone else cares about what you are doing in the class. Teaching a concept or new idea to someone else is a sure way for you to understand it. Studying in a group or with a partner can sometimes become too social. It is important to stay focused. Studies show that students who develop peer networks with their classmates generally do better in college.